Big Data and analytics in tourism and hospitality: a perspective article

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to discuss the evolution of Big Data (BD) and Analytics in the tourism and hospitality field. It analyses the important role that BD has played so far in tourism and hospitality research and delineates how it might evolve in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

In line with the Platinum Jubilee Special Issue of Tourism Review, this work consists of a critical and conceptual analysis including a mini literature review of recent work in the area at the intersection of BD and tourism and hospitality research.

Findings

Findings suggest that tourism and hospitality scholars are increasingly aware of and adopting BD approaches to retrieve, collect, analyse, report and visualise their data. However, a number of avenues for improvement in the use and interpretation of BD and BD analytics as both sets of methods and technology need to be developed. Moreover, BD analytics promise to enhance a number of digital technologies in tourism and hospitality such as AI and IoT that heavily rely on data. As such, the authors envision that a new digital entrepreneurship field might be shaped within the tourism and hospitality literature. Research pathways for future inquiry at the intersection of BD and tourism and hospitality are outlined.

Originality/value

While thinking retrospectively about research revolving around BD and its role in the tourism and hospitality research field so far, this study also addresses the challenges pertaining to how BD research will be conducted in the next seven decades within tourism and hospitality.